Local drone group to host informational event

ROME — A local drone group will be hosting an informational event in October at Griffiss International Airport.

CNY Drones will present Drone Informational Day from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Oct. 1 inside Building 785 on Bomber Drive.

The free event, which is co-sponsored by Oneida County, will feature demonstrations of various drones, information on the future Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics-based activities and team formation assistance.

All age groups are invited to participate and team growth plans will center around encouraging older students and adults to mentor younger counterparts.

The informal CNY Drones volunteer group was formed by Lisa and Bob Payne, who have coached local student robotics team the RoboSpartans for the past eight years.

“We’re applying our experience with growing robotics to creating sustainable drone- based STEM activities,” said Lisa Payne, the group's volunteer administrator,. “We had an immediate need with our team ready to do something new, drones already in use and others under construction. Anyone who watched us over the years knows how committed we are to the success of STEM events. I’m pleased that local STEM and drone interests came together so quickly."

The group is currently made up of local drone enthusiasts, educators, drone manufacturers, sponsors, engineers from the Air Force Research Lab, government suppliers, Griffiss Airport officials and the Griffiss Institute. Its committee meets monthly to discuss plans to make drone events a regular addition to existing area STEM activities.

For more information on CNY Drones and Drone Information Day, visit https://www.facebook.com/cnydrones or email the group at CNYDrones@gmail.com.

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